Improvement in bidets or hip-baths



DWEGHT GIBBON S. lmprovemgnt in Bidets or Hi -p Bahs. 120,961, Patented Nov. 14,187 K;

[72 van for.

DWIGHT GIBBONS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN BIDETS QR HIP-BATHS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 120,961, dated November 14, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DWIGHT GIBBONs, of the city of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New, York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bidets or Hip-Baths, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the bath, as hereinafter described, whereby it is especially adapted to the wants of invalids and at the same time forms a convenient and ornamental piece of house-furniture.

1n the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device with the cover thrown open; Fig. 2, a similar view of the bath with the chairback .removed; Fig. 3, a similar view of the chair-back; Fig. 4:, a plan of the bath-bowl or vessel.

A is the bed or frame, mounted upon legs B B and having an upholstered lid or cover, (1, which shuts down when the bath is not in use, thus forming an ornamental stool or stand, which is convenient in use and presents the outside appearance of an ordinary piece of furniture. When opened the lid is sustained by a hinged brace, a, which strikes into a notch of the bed. When closed the lid is held down by a catch, b. P is the bath -bowl or vessel. It is sunk flush in the bed, and has a discharge-orifice at its bot tom which allows the escape of the contents when opened. The bowl is made of the elon gated or elliptical shape shown, and preferably with the ends forming half-circles of different diameters, as indicated. At the enlarged end of the oval are two flanges, 0 0, with an intermediate slot or opening, cl, which flanges form the seat for the person to sit upon. The flanges are made concave or hollowing to fit the posterior of the person, while the slot is made of such length as to leave the privates and anus uncovered for the purpose of bathing the parts, or for administering medicines, or for voiding and evacuating. At the deepest part of the concave of the flanges are drip-holes f f, for the escape of the water in bathing.

In the use of the device for evacuation a separate dish may be used, which is inserted within the bath-bowl. This promotes cleanliness and saves labor in cleansing.

D is a separate vessel for the reception of medicated water, syringes, or other articles 5' and E E are receptacles for medicine-bottles, &c.

The whole are sunk within the face of the bed or frame. G is a separate chair-back, which is applied to the end of the device opposite the lid, and attached thereto by means of angleirons or equivalent attachments, g g, which have hook-heads h k that hook into notches of the bed. The lower ends of the chair-legs are padded, as shown at 70 7c, and rest against the stoollegs B B. This firmly braces the back and prevents marring or scratching of the stool-legs. The chair-back is preferably covered with carpet, Z, or otherwise padded, to give ease and comfort to the patient.

The operation is as follows: The person sits upon the seat 0 c, astride the bed, and applies the bath to the parts affected, or to the hips, thighs, and privates. The open slot d allows this to be freely done, and also allows the person to void andevacuate with great ease. If an invalid, the chair-back Gr may be applied, in which case he can either lean back against it or rest forward upon the upright lid. Great ease is secured in either position.

The great value of this arrangement in the sick-room is apparent at a glance. It enables the patient to rest quietly in obeying the calls of nature, or in bathing or administering medicines to the lower parts of the body. It is particularly valuable to females; It prevents the necessity of sitting low upon the sharp rim of a chamber-vessel, by furnishing an elevated seat which forms a broad bearing to the person and fits the parts properly. The elongated form of the bath-bowl allows the bath to be applied freely without danger of spilling.

This bath is designed to be either portable or stationary, and may be adapted to use in any house.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, the bidet or hip-bath, constructed, arranged, and operating as herein described.

2. The separate chair-back G, combined with the bed or frame A and cover 0, in the manner- 

